Four Reasons To Hire A Stylist

You’ve made the decision to invest in professional photography—now it’s time to hire a stylist. While it can feel overwhelming to involve another professional in your creative vision, especially one whose skill-set seems to align so closely with your own, a stylist can make all the difference between an average photograph and a stunning one. Plus, having a seasoned professional present to manage all the fine details helps temper the stress and emotion of the shoot and guarantees its success. 

They’ll position the bedding just to achieve an exquisite drape, rise at dawn to scour the markets for the perfect flowers to bring out the accents in your carefully curated upholstery—and so much more.

“We’re essentially professional zhuzhers,” says Frances Bailey. “We help designers tell their stories,” adds Lucy Bamman. The collective talents of these stylists have graced the pages of publications such as Veranda, Architectural Digest, Luxe Interiors + Design, ELLE Decor, Departures, and Southern Living.

In other words, stylists bring magic to a set—and here’s why you should hire one:

Styled by Frances Bailey (1) Designed by Miles Redd and photography Douglas Friedman for Veranda Magazine (2) Designed by Amy Meier Design and photography by Annie Schlechter for Veranda Magazine. (3) Designed by Carrier and Company for Veranda Magazine, Photography Annie Schlecter (4) Designed by Chauncey Boothby Interiors for Domino Magazine and the Wall Street Journal, Photography by Read McKendree

Styled by Frances Bailey (1) Designed by Miles Redd and photography Douglas Friedman for Veranda Magazine (2) Designed by Amy Meier Design and photography by Annie Schlechter for Veranda Magazine. (3) Designed by Carrier and Company for Veranda Magazine, Photography Annie Schlecter (4) Designed by Chauncey Boothby Interiors for Domino Magazine and the Wall Street Journal, Photography by Read McKendree

1. A Fresh Perspective

While interior designers design spaces for how people live, stylists design them for how they appear on camera.

“When arranging candlesticks and a centerpiece on a dining table, you have to understand the way it looks to your eye when sitting at the table is completely different than how it looks on camera,” says Bamman. 

Bailey also observes that designers are often so close to a project by its end that they need an objective viewpoint. “As stylists, we can edit down all the stuff that isn’t helping the designer tell their story. As a third party, moving the beloved grandmother’s chair is easier because it just doesn’t look right in the picture.”

2. An Editorial Eye

The best interior design stylists, including Bamman and Bailey, are well-versed in the language of magazine editors and will bring that valuable store of knowledge to your project.

“We know the correct type of frames and angles and all the little nuances editors are looking for,” Bamman notes. 

Bailey offers an example: “A lot of times in the dining room, interior designers will want a full set of the table, but that isn't what magazines want. They want a casual look, like a simple stack of plates.”

According to Bamman, if your goal is to have your project published online or in print. “You can essentially just tie the project in a pretty bow and give it to a design director or an editor-in-chief, which puts you way ahead.”

Styled by Lucy Bamman, (1) Designed by Story Street Studio and photography by Tim Williams, (2) Designed by Alexander M. Reid and Photography by Tim Williams (3) Designed by Augusta Hoffman and photography by Tim Lenz, (4) Designed by Ariel Okin Interiors and photography by Seth Caplan.

3. Layers of Depth

Stylists are visual storytellers, trained to bring out the best in your designs. Bamman takes time to consider the situation of the homeowners, the designer, and the location of every project. “Are the homeowners collectors? A family of little kids? A single girl in the city? Is it a generational home? Where are we located? I like to incorporate those subtleties.” In a Nashville kitchen, for example, she might display a bowl of blackberries, instead of a more classic choice like apples or oranges, because they’re a state specialty.

Those additional layers of depth and storytelling are the secret sauce that will make your photos resonate.

4. An Extra Set of Hands

If you’re like most interior designers with a growing business, you’re stretched for time and could use the additional help. Bailey says she considers herself a member of the designer’s team: “I’m working for them and I take it seriously.” She recalls a recent project where the playroom needed to be photographed but on the day of the shoot, it looked like a bomb had exploded inside. Bailey moved swiftly, whipping the room into shape and setting up the perfect shot. “I know the designer could have gotten there herself, but I don’t think it would have been a great use of her time. This way, she was able to be off dealing with her next project while I ensured the shoot could go off without a hitch.”

While hiring a stylist does mean an additional investment—day rates can range between $1,000-2,500—the returns are undeniable. Not only will you have more time to devote to client work, you’ll also boost the chances of your project being selected for publication and have a richer, more polished portfolio to show for it in the end.

Follow our featured stylists on Instagram @francesfinds @lucybamman

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Written by Kamala Nair for The Brand Journal. Kamala is a Copywriter and Brand Voice Expert for Interior Designers and Architects.